Joshua 19

1 The second assignment made was for the families of the tribe of Simeon. Its territory extended into the land assigned to the tribe of Judah.

2 It included Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, ¹

3 Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,

4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,

5 Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,

6 Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen: thirteen cities, along with the towns around them.

7 There were also Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan: four cities, along with the towns around them.

8 This included all the towns around these cities as far as Baalath Beer (or Ramah), in the south. This was the land which the families of the tribe of Simeon received as their possession.

9 Since Judah's assignment was larger than was needed, part of its territory was given to the tribe of Simeon.

10 The third assignment made was for the families of the tribe of Zebulun. The land which they received reached as far as Sarid.

11 From there the border went west to Mareal, touching Dabbesheth and the stream east of Jokneam.

12 On the other side of Sarid it went east to the border of Chisloth Tabor, then to Daberath and up to Japhia.

13 It continued east from there to Gath Hepher and Ethkazin, turning in the direction of Neah on the way to Rimmon.

14 On the north the border turned toward Hannathon, ending at Iphtahel Valley.

15 It included Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities, along with the towns around them.

16 These cities and their towns were in the land which the families of the tribe of Zebulun received as their possession.

17 The fourth assignment made was for the families of the tribe of Issachar.

18 Its area included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,

19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,

20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,

21 Remeth, Engannim, Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez.

22 The border also touched Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh, ending at the Jordan. It included sixteen cities along with the towns around them.

23 These cities and their towns were in the land which the families of the tribe of Issachar received as their possession.

24 The fifth assignment made was for the families of the tribe of Asher.

25 Its area included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,

26 Allam Melech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west it touched Carmel and Shihor Libnath.

27 As it turned east, the border went to Bethdagon, touching Zebulun and Iphtahel Valley on the way north to Bethemek and Neiel. It continued north to Cabul,

28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Sidon.

29 The border then turned to Ramah, reaching the fortified city of Tyre; then it turned to Hosah and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. It included Mahalab, Achzib,

30 Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob: twenty-two cities, along with the towns around them.

31 These cities and their towns were in the land which the families of the tribe of Asher received as their possession.

32 The sixth assignment made was for the families of the tribe of Naphtali.

33 Its border went from Heleph to the oak in Zaanannim, on to Adaminekeb and to Jamnia, as far as Lakkum, and ended at the Jordan.

34 There the border turned west to Aznoth Tabor, from there to Hukkok, touching Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and the Jordan on the east.

35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,

36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,

37 Kedesh, Edrei, Enhazor,

38 Yiron, Migdalel, Horem, Bethanath, and Beth Shemesh: nineteen cities, along with the towns around them.

39 These cities and their towns were in the land which the families of the tribe of Naphtali received as their possession.

40 The seventh assignment made was for the families of the tribe of Dan.

41 Its area included Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh,

42 Shaalbim, Aijalon, Ithlah,

43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,

44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,

45 Jehud, Beneberak, Gathrimmon,

46 Mejarkon, and Rakkon, as well as the territory around Joppa.

47 When the people of Dan lost their land, they went to Laish and attacked it. They captured it, killed its people, and claimed it for themselves. They settled there and changed the name of the city from Laish to Dan, naming it after their ancestor Dan. ²

48 These cities and their towns were in the land which the families of the tribe of Dan received as their possession.

49 When the people of Israel finished dividing up the land, they gave Joshua son of Nun a part of the land as his own.

50 As the Lord had commanded, they gave him the city he asked for: Timnath Serah, in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the city and settled there.

51 Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the families of the tribes of Israel assigned these parts of the land by drawing lots to consult the Lord at Shiloh, at the entrance of the Tent of the Lord's presence. In this way they finished dividing the land.

Joshua 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

The lot of Simeon. (1-9) The lot of Zebulun. (10-16) The lot of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. (17-51)

Verses 1-9 The men of Judah did not oppose taking away the cities within their border, when convinced that they had more than was right. If a true believer has obtained an unintended and improper advantage in any thing, he will give it up without murmuring. Love seeketh not her own, and doth not behave unseemly; it will induce those in whom it richly dwells, to part with their own to supply what is lacking to their brethren.

Verses 10-16 In the division to each tribe of Israel, the prophetic blessings of Jacob were fulfilled. They chose for themselves, or it was divided to them by lot, in the manner and places that he foresaw. So sure a rule to go by is the word of prophecy: we see by it what to believe, and it proves beyond all dispute the things that are of God.

Verses 17-51 Joshua waited till all the tribes were settled, before he asked any provision for himself. He was content to be unfixed, till he saw them all placed, and herein is an example to all in public places, to prefer the common welfare before private advantage. Those who labour most to do good to others, seek an inheritance in the Canaan above: but it will be soon enough to enter thereon, when they have done all the service to their brethren of which they are capable. Nor can any thing more effectually assure them of their title to it, than endeavouring to bring others to desire, to seek, and to obtain it. Our Lord Jesus came and dwelt on earth, not in pomp but poverty, providing rest for man, yet himself not having where to lay his head; for Christ pleased not himself. Nor would he enter upon his inheritance, till by his obedience to death he secured the eternal inheritance for all his people; nor will he account his own glory completed, till every ransomed sinner is put in possession of his heavenly rest.

Cross References

• 1. 19.2-81 Chronicles 4.28-33.
• 2. 19.47Judges 18.27-29.

Footnotes

• [a]. [One ancient translation] the Jordan; [Hebrew] Judah at the Jordan.
• [b]. drawing lots: [See 14.2.]

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 19

In this chapter an account is given of the lots of the six remaining tribes, and the cities in them, as of Simeon, whose cities were chiefly within the tribe of Judah, Jos 19:1-9; of Zebulun, its border and cities, Jos 19:10-16; of Issachar, its border and cities, Jos 19:17-23; of Asher, its border and cities, Jos 19:24-31; of Naphtali, its border and cities, Jos 19:32-39; of Dan, its border and titles, Jos 19:40-48; and lastly of a gift of inheritance to Joshua, Jos 19:49-51.